Saturday, January 14, 2006

Do you want to live forever? Maybe this isn't possible, but you probably do want to live your life with grace, with health and happiness.

Most people are aware that daily life can be stressful and that this stress can affect your health or, at least, your quality of life. Everyone has different sets of stressors and everyone has their own unique way of responding to these stressors. Though we are all different, it is very important to realize that being a "victim" to our stressors is virtually universal and with awareness can be kept to a minimum. Stress will and does affect our body's natural response to aging.

There are subtle ways that stress can affect your quality of life. Even in mid-life we notice that our energy level seems lower. Or we find that we can not focus on tasks as well as we would like. These can be less severe than painful major symptoms, but can be stress' way of robbing our enjoyment and reducing our productivity! We do not have to be victims to stress.

Awareness and proper self-care which minimizes the impact of stress can assist you in reducing, if not, eliminating the negative affects of life's stresses. People live longer, healthier, happier lives when stress is lessened. Productivity, creativity, increased energy levels, and enhanced ability to communicate more clearly are all possible positive side-effects from wellness and appropriate stress management.

Even though bad habits can begin in childhood, it is never too late to learn and develop positive coping skills which will enhance your quality of life.

Understand the issues:

How many of us are stressed out because our children are growing up and the stress they can cause increases with their independence (and our lack of control over their choices?) How many of us are struggling with aging parents, siblings, spouses in ways that increases our levels of daily stress? This is due to our care and concern and with our lack of control over the issues with these family members.

As we "mature," we lose some of our strength and flexibility. The things that we used to "handle" now seem to get to us. We are not as balanced as we respond to current issues as well as we would like. Things like: the economy, the war on terrorism, the media's influence over our kids, the state of our neighborhoods, all seem to be able to get to us more now than ever before. Levels of change which we once craved and embraced, seem more intimidating as we get older. Fears and anxieties may have a growing negative impact on us for we do not have the energy, strength, or flexibility to adapt as easily as we did when we are younger.

Here are Ten Tips for controlling the stress which affect our longevity.

1. Stress Management

Daily meditation including moments of appreciation and gratitude. Breathing techniques. Deep relaxations to create awareness and control physical and emotional symptoms of stress. If you begin a practice of daily deep relaxation, to control stress, remember that it may take 4-6 weeks of regular use to begin to see results. It may require 8-12 weeks of regular daily use to begin to get the maximum benefits of this program. It takes time to change life-long habits, but empowers you in ways that you may not have dreamed possible.

Reduce caffeine. Do not depend on alcohol or drugs for stress management. Use good supplementation for important trace minerals (like chromium, calcium, iron, etc.) and anti-oxidants.

4. Planning

Know your goals and work toward them. Do not forget to make plans for your mental development, your creative and aesthetic needs, your finances, career, social interactions with family and friends, and your spiritual needs. Never stop learning or trying new things.

5. Communication

Learn to really listen! Develop the best skills for finding clarity of your thoughts and feelings and then discover the best ways to appropriately communicate these thoughts. If you focus on what your partner is saying, and not on your response, you will be better able to answer concerns or objections in a more relaxed and convincing way.

6. Support

No man is an island. We need a community of people both family and friends, if possible, to support us. Give as much as you get. And remember to let others give to you. (This is difficult, but the greatest gift you can offer!)

7. Spiritual well being

Know how to connect with your spirit and then make time to do it. Know what brings you joy and happiness, and pursue these activities. Your quest may take you to a beautiful spot outdoors or a quiet period of reflection in a garden or to an art museum or to the park to watch children play...

8. Positive Mental Attitude/ Avoid Negativity

Avoid negative people and dwelling in negative thoughts. Take good care of yourself and find the positive in every experience. Learn from mistakes and laugh at these lessons, especially when these get tough.

9. Acceptance

Break from fear and find acceptance for what we all must face. Easier said than done, but when your life includes regular self-care you will find the internal strength and self-love to develop acceptance from deep within. It is amazing what regular stress management can do to assist you in your search for peace and acceptance.

10. Humor

Laugh out loud daily. Create situations where you can find the happiness and humor to smile and laugh. Make a special quest for fun!

L. John Mason, Ph.D. is the author of the best selling "Guide to Stress Reduction." Since 1977, he has offered Executive Coaching and Training.

Please visit the Stress Education Center's website at http://www.dstress.com for articles, free ezine signup, and learn about the stress management products that are available to you. If you would like information or a targeted proposal for training or coaching, please contact us at (707) 795-2228.

If you are looking to promote your training or coaching career, please investigate the Professional Stress Management Training and Certification Program for a secondary source of income or as career path.